The X-Up accelerator opens its applications for the 7th time

From January 8 until February 28 2018, the X-Up accelerator recruits its seventh class of project holders or start-ups “early stage”.

From January 8 until February 28 2018, École Polytechnique's X-Up accelerator and incubator recruits its seventh class of project holders or start-ups “early stage”, in France and abroad. X-Up looks for projects with high technological dimension capable to create innovative solutions of tomorrow.

From the idea to the company creation, X-Up assists entrepreneurs on multiple stages; market studies, business plan, preparation of the start-up's pitch, legal status, proof of concept, prototyping, first customer relation etc. This six-month acceleration program (renewable once) is intended to challenge project holders and allow them in the aftermath of the acceleration period to create their business, develop a first prototype, target a first potential customer, build a team and launch the stage of fundraising.

Why and how apply?

Entrepreneurs are assisted by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Directorate of l’X and particularly by an entrepreneur who follows and challenges them daily. Each project receives a funding of 20 000€ and benefits from a coaching carried out by sector professionals, specific workshops and monitoring delivered by three experts in their fields: technology, business and soft skills.

Start-ups are selected on application file and on pitch competition organized in front of an independent selection committee composed of entrepreneurs, experts of the industry and investors.

Join the X-Up start-up community

In nearly three years, 35 start-ups have been accelerated, 46 incubated, 250 projects were created and developed as well as a network of more than 450 entrepreneurs. Having access to X-Up is also a gateway on a renowned investors networks, privileged relations with the network and ecosystem of l’X, and a unique opportunity to meet entrepreneurs and international experts.

Technological and scientific means available for accelerated start-ups, especially the prototyping area and the proximity with the 22 laboratories of l’X are extremely favorable for the development of high-tech start-ups.

“The acceleration has allowed me to better organize my project, my business plan, my vision. I have been accompanied on aspects that initially were not among my skills. I met investors who are now part of the capital of my company or with whom I discuss now a forthcoming opening of capital.” Lambert Trénoras, CEO Gyrolift, present at the Consumer Electronics Show 2018 to promote his product.

“The acceleration challenged us daily on many aspects of our project: we had to make sure that our product was answering a market need, our roadmap was realistic and compatible with our human and financial resources, set up a financial forecast with our fundraising ambitions. It also allowed us to benefit from a mentors' network; the initial financial input of 20 000€ has also been important, in the early stages of a start-up, every single euro matters”. Boris Kesler, CEO of Mainboat, present at the 2018 Nuremberg International Toy Fair.

“The acceleration allowed us to meet our first investor, to exchange with entrepreneurs to have experience feedbacks and the possibility for our engineers to have business lessons”. Franz Bozsak CEO Sensome – Fundraising of one million euro two months after the acceleration.